With Pearce on board, the pieces should start falling into place, particularly the name of the director. Christopher McQuarrie, who has been consulting on the film with Cruise, remains the bookie’s favourite, but it remains to be seen if he sits in the chair.

As for the plot? That’s anyone’s guess for now, but expect Cruise climbing things, threats to the safety of the world, maguffins and, if we’re lucky, Simon Pegg’s Benji breaking out the Q-fu again.

Pearce, who co-wrote Iron Man 3 with director Shane Black, has gone from creating the likes of TV comedy No Heroics (which deserved a longer life) to working on huge Hollywood projects including Sherlock Holmes 3, Runaways and even a few days helping Guillermo del Toro polish the Pacific Rim script.

We talked to Pearce and Black about their work on Iron Man 3, which you can hear below on the Iron Man 3 Podcast Spoiler Special. Mr P, we just want to tell you good luck. We’re all counting on you.